Pics from our first week home

Matthew Garrett Lowe

Baby Matthew is finally here! He arrived on Monday, June 20th at 6:15pm. He was 8lbs and 14oz. I was not expecting that big of a baby at all! Unfortunately I didn't fall under the majority of "second labors are easier labors." Poor Matthew was not only sunny side up but was coming out face-first. After 3 hours of pushing he was completely stuck. The Dr and nurses were preparing for a C-Section and were going to try one last thing...the vacuum. Poor Matthew pretty much had his face vacuumed out of me. It was a pretty scary experience but I am so happy it didn't end in surgery. My bottom half is sure paying for it now though. :( I can't wait until the day I can put the pain meds up and feel like myself again.

Here are some pics from our big, exciting, scary, amazing day! Matthew's birth!

This is when my epidural was working and everything was smooth sailing.

After only a couple hours of bliss, the epidural on left side 100% gave out. In this pic I had already pushed for 2 hours. The Dr let me take a little break because Matthew's heartbeat was at a steady 50. The contractions were unbearable and we were so worried about our baby.

6:15pm. He's here! Daddy got to cut the cord.

Such a sweet moment that Brad and I got to share this time.

Big boy!

The next morning.

Big brother Miles comes to visit!

Just a few hours before check out. I definitely could have stayed another night or two.

We're home and trying out the new swing. So far so good!

You know pregnancy has made you crazy when....

...you do this to your cat.

I had Joe professional groomed today ($70 down the drain) because it was either that or get rid of him. I couldn't stand the constant shedding of fur, the way he smelled, and him dragging his butt on our carpet. Couldn't STAND it! So, I dropped him off and said "do the works". I picked him up a couple hours later and this is what he looked like. Shaved, bathed, clipped and anal glands expressed.

This is called "The Lion Cut." I am satisfied...for the moment.

Formally Joe... In his defense, he probably is the sweetest cat alive. So sweet that my mom wants to start a nursing home ministry with him.

Since Brad is in the field the next 2 weeks, I had to figure out a litter box fix until my mom gets here. We bought 4 new litterboxes and I am just throwing them out every couple days. Wasteful? Yes, but I am not using one of my 3 bendovers for the day to clean cat-crap.

Crazy? I told you!

37 weeks

*How far along?: 37 weeks

*Weight gain: 30 pounds... one time I gained 10 pounds in 4 weeks. Yikes! But, the past 6 weeks I've only gained 2. Interesting how it all works!

*Sleep: you mean pee? I don't sleep... I pee.

*Stretch marks: Yes, they're creeping up. It feels like fire ants are crawling on my stomach and there's nothing I can do to relieve it. Ugh!

*Best moment of this week: Brad had a long 4 day weekend. We're celebrating his 31st birthday this Sunday!

*Movement: He doesn't stop. I actually think parts of my insides are bruised. Certain movements bringtears to my eyes when he moves at this point.

*Food cravings: No, just fruit if anything. I quit soda and sweets a month ago and have never felt healthier!

*What I miss most: sleep, being able to breath, to bend over, not be so achy... I miss just feeling good!

*What I'm looking forward to: coming home from the hospital with our baby!

*Measuring: Baby measured 7 lbs & 3oz at the last ultrasound which was huge for 36 weeks! Dr. told me to stop eating or I'd end up with a c-section.

Interesting facts: I'm 1 cm dilated. 20% effaced. Baby is LOW.

Only 2.5 weeks until the big day, but crossing fingers for earlier!